As the spring bull selling season begins, commercial beef producers are reassessing their herds after navigating prolonged drought conditions and looking to return to full production. For many, the focus is now on rebuilding – and selecting the right bulls is a key part of that strategy.
Ian Locke of Wirruna Poll Herefords says that specialist heifer bulls become increasingly important during herd rebuild phases.
“Fortunately, beef market fundamentals remain strong, with robust international demand for Australian beef,” Ian said. “However, the recent drought forced many producers to offload breeding stock, and now, restocking is proving expensive with high-priced females. As a result, many are choosing to retain more of their young heifers to rebuild numbers cost-effectively.”
This trend drives demand for bulls with proven calving ease — bulls that can be safely used over heifers without increasing the risk of calving difficulties.
At Wirruna, calving ease has been a long-standing priority.
“Over the past 40 years, we’ve birth-weighted and recorded calving ease scores on more than 19,000 calves at our Spring Valley property in Holbrook,” Ian said. “That data feeds into Breedplan, giving a highly accurate picture of which animals carry the genetics for calving ease — and we rigorously cull any breeders that don’t deliver live, unassisted calves.”
Photo: Diney Locke weighing calves at Wirruna
Wirruna’s genetic strength in calving ease is clearly reflected in Breedplan data, with 2024-born calves averaging in the top 25% of the breed for calving ease EBVs. Impressively, this hasn’t come at the cost of performance — growth traits also average in the top 20% of the breed.
At the upcoming Wirruna Spring Bull & Female Sale on Wednesday, 27th August 2025, the stud will offer 58 rising two-year-old bulls, including 34 calving ease sires — some of the breed’s best genetics.
Standout lots include:
Lot 2-Wirruna Ukraine U054 – a leading sire for calving ease in the Wirruna sale
Lot 48- Wirruna Under U518-A specialist heifer bull
The sale also features 20 PTIC females, including seven individual lots and 13 offered in group lots. All females are backed by the same disciplined selection and performance data that underpins the Wirruna program.
The on-property Helmsman sale will be interfaced with AuctionsPlus, offering both in-person and remote bidding options.
Sale catalogues, videos and full details are available at www.wirruna.com.